Today marks the beginning of Week One of the 2026 NFL Preseason. From now through August 29th, there will be 48 preseason games as teams prepare for the start of the regular season on September 9th. With that in mind, let's run down the list and see where each NFL team ranks as we gear up for tonight's contests.
32. Cleveland Browns
Poor Cleveland. It feels like an eternity ago that this team smacked around the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Playoffs. Hiring Todd Monken felt like an uninspired head coaching pick. On top of that, we don't know who will end up being the Week One starting quarterback. We also can't forget the team traded away arguably the best player in franchise history: edge rusher Myles Garrett. The defense will still be good, but we should expect that unit to take a step back this season.
31. Arizona Cardinals
The fantastic quarterback performance that we saw from the Cards in the Hall of Fame Game feels like an aberration rather than what we should expect in the desert this season. I'm unimpressed with the head coach that they hired. Not to mention, the defense has plenty of holes, the offensive line is porous, and the quarterback room is questionable at best. It would be a successful season if the Cardinals ended up winning at least five games, which should tell you how low the bar has been set in Arizona.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Just a few days ago, I wrote that the Raiders had a successful off-season, and I stand by that claim. However, this team will still be bad during the 2026-27 season. Vegas lacks a game-breaking wide receiver. Outside of center Tyler Linderbaum and edge rusher Maxx Crosby, this team is also fairly weak in the trenches. We should see some improvement on the defensive side of the ball, but that isn't saying much considering the Raiders were 25th in points per game allowed last season (24.9). Whenever they choose to start quarterback Fernando Mendoza, that will most likely lead to growing pains as well as losses.
29. Miami Dolphins
In my AFC East prediction piece, I said that the Dolphins would NOT be the worst team in the NFL. Though that’s true, they’ll actually be the fourth-worst team in the league this season. With a first-time head coach, a quarterback who has never been a Week One starter, and so many new players on both sides of the ball, the 'Phins are bound to struggle this year. Thankfully, they have a Pro Bowl running back to build their offense around, which should help win some games. Still, this is the first year of a rebuild, which means expectations should be quite low in South Beach.
28. Tennessee Titans
Admittedly, I flip-flopped between putting the Titans or the New York Jets at this spot. I ended up going with Tennessee because we don't know how good second-year quarterback Cam Ward is yet, and that will obviously impact this team's performance this season. This squad is also going to experience some missteps under a new head coach and offensive coordinator. Couple that with so many new players on the roster, and the Titans should be a bad team once again. Although I do believe the actual on-field product will be better, even if there is not a significant difference in terms of record.
27. New Orleans Saints
I do have relatively high expectations for the Saints this season even though they placed 27th in our power rankings. However, a lot of the 2026-27 campaign hinges on the development and progression of second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who played well despite only starting nine games last season. If he continues down the path he is currently on, then the Saints will be in a good position to compete with some of the better teams in the NFC. Conversely, if he struggles or regresses, then things will turn ugly in the Big Easy.
26. New York Jets
Just because I believe the Jets will finish higher in the AFC East standings than the Dolphins, that doesn't mean that this team will be any good. There are obvious concerns when it comes to coaching and quarterback play, which are the two aspects of the game that most affect winning in the National Football League. With that being said, though, there are plenty of talented players on this team, and that means the Jets are bound to fall backwards into a few wins. I also think Geno Smith will surprise a few people and be a serviceable starter this season.
25. Atlanta Falcons
The Dirty Birds could surprise everybody and be this year's version of the 2025026 Jacksonville Jaguars. After all, they have elite offensive weapons and a new head coach who should know how to properly utilize them. Unfortunately, there are still serious questions regarding the quarterback position. Michael Penix Jr. is an enigma who hasn't even started 17 games at the NFL level. Meanwhile, projected backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a walking turnover, as we all know. With one of their best pass rushers already done for the season, this could be a down year in the ATL.
24. New York Giants
I’m expecting a pretty significant turnaround in the Big Apple. As I wrote in my NFC East predictions piece, the G-Men probably won't be a playoff team, as everybody projects them to be, but they will almost certainly finish this year with more wins than they did last season. John Harbaugh is a fantastic coach who will completely change the culture of the locker room. Similar to the Saints, though, the Giants will only be successful if second-year QB Jaxson Dart plays well. Should he run into any issues or even take a step back, things will go south for Big Blue.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
I really can't make heads or tails of the Steelers. Mike McCarthy is a good head coach, but I don't know if he will actually make Pittsburgh better. Though they added plenty of new faces that should contribute right away, the most important players on the team are all older veterans, like quarterback Aaron Rodgers, edge rusher T.J. Watt, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan. I'm also still not completely sold on this group's offensive weapons outside of wide receiver DK Metcalf. If either he or Rodgers were to go down, it would spell disaster for the Steelers' 2026-27 season.
22. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts dealt with a lot of free agency losses, including linebacker Zaire Franklin, pass rusher Kwity Paye, offensive tackle Braden Smith, and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. However, almost all of Indy's success will be predicated on how well Daniel Jones plays after tearing his Achilles last season. If Jones looks like the guy we saw before he hurt his leg, then the Colts should be competitive. Then again, if Jones' scrambling abilities are limited, Indianapolis will be a below-average team. Though I expect the former, the Colts have no backup plan if Jones plays poorly, which is a cause for concern.
21. Minnesota Vikings
I'm not convinced that the Vikes did enough this off-season to set this group up for a lot of success this year. They lost several key pieces, including defensive leader Harrison Smith, former Pro Bowler edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, and starting defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. They’re relying heavily on Kyler Murray to lead this team back to the promised land, but if he deals with any type of injury this season, Minnesota might be cooked. The good news is that the Vikings are well-coached with a plethora of talented veterans, which should be good for at least seven or eight victories.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are neck-and-neck with the Panthers as the favorites to win the NFC South, in my opinion. However, there is a lot more tension in Tampa than there is in Charlotte, North Carolina, which could greatly impact how the season plays out. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is obviously unhappy with his contract situation, and might not be willing to put his body on the line the way he did last year. More importantly, head coach Todd Bowles seemingly lost the locker room towards the end of last season. Add on the fact that this team will be relying on several young players to become major contributors right away, and it's not a guarantee that the Buccaneers are the team to beat in the NFC South.
19. Carolina Panthers
This is a coin flip for the Cats. They could regress or take another step forward. I'm going to give the Panthers the benefit of the doubt and assume they will improve this season. After all, they signed elite defenders like middle linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who should yield better results on that side of the ball. There are a few questions about the offensive line, but they have invested so much money and draft capital in the trenches that they should be able to put out a solid starting five, which will allow Bryce Young to continue progressing.
18. Washington Commanders
The Commanders will almost certainly be better this year than they were last season, but that doesn't automatically mean they will be a playoff team. They added a lot of talent to the defensive side of the ball, which should make a drastic difference in the win column. However, this team will only go as far as third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels takes them. We saw how much he and the team struggled last season after sustaining multiple injuries. Washington will be one of the worst groups in the NFL once again if Daniels cannot stay on the field.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
This is a make-or-break year in Cincy. Joe Burrow is about to start his seventh season and has yet to find the success he had when the team made the Super Bowl four years ago. Talent is certainly not an issue on the offensive side of the ball. Between Burrow and wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they should once again have no problem scoring points. But they need to see their investments on defense pay dividends. Until Cincinnati can prove that it can consistently execute on the defensive side of the ball, we cannot seriously view the Bengals as a Super Bowl contender.
16. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have everything you want in a potential playoff team. Their young head coach showed that he can go toe-to-toe with some of the best minds in the NFL. The offense is stacked with an elite quarterback and two Pro Bowl wide receivers. Dallas also did an excellent job addressing their atrocious defense through the draft, trades, and free agency. Now, they just need to bring it all together, which has often been an issue in the Lone Star state. Either way, the Cowboys are talented enough to win at least eight or nine games, making them a middle-of-the-pack team.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
We can no longer say that the Chiefs are automatically Super Bowl contenders with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading the charge. After all, they struggled to stay afloat last season even when Mahomes was healthy. Thankfully, they made plenty of meaningful additions in the off-season, like Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, top-flight rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, and veteran safety Alohi Gilman. However, KC will be relying a lot on young players to make major contributions this season, which doesn't instill a lot of confidence that the Chiefs will return to being the class of the AFC.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers spared no expense solidifying their offensive line. They might have already had Pro Bowlers at both tackle spots, but they spent a lot of money to make sure that depth in the trenches wouldn't be an issue again this season. Now, they just have to go out and execute, which shouldn’t be a problem with a head coach like Jim Harbaugh. After losing defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, LA might not be as dominant on that side of the ball as it was last season, but the offense should make up for any regression, especially with a masterful playcaller like Mike McDaniel now in the building.
13. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are often one of the best teams in the NFL because they have a talented roster and some of the best coaching in the league. Unfortunately, they lost their defensive coordinator and have 13 coaches taking on new roles this season. We also can't ignore the fact that San Francisco is already dealing with injuries to several key players, including edge rusher Nick Bosa, defensive end Mykel Williams, and wide receiver Mike Evans. Regardless, this team is well-versed in the injury department and still won 12 games last season even with numerous players missing time. The 49ers will probably be a top team in the NFL once again.
12. Detroit Lions
There are some concerns in the trenches with so many new faces potentially starting along the offensive line. However, the Lions are still equipped with one of the best rosters and coaching staffs in the league. Head coach Dan Campbell is arguably the best leader in the NFL. Detroit also has elite players at running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker. If the new faces they added along the offensive line can meet the expectations they have coming into the season, then Detroit will be a threat to win the NFC North.
11. Buffalo Bills
I have made my worries about new head coach Joe Brady very apparent. Regardless, this is a franchise that knows how to win games, as proven by the fact that they are tied with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens for the most wins in the NFL over the last three years (36). More importantly, they still have an MVP-caliber quarterback leading the charge in Josh Allen and an elite rushing attack that is anchored by one of the best offensive lines in the league. Even with a rookie head coach, Buffalo should be viewed as a threat to win most of their games and maybe even the AFC East.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Even though I wrote that the Jaguars failed the off-season, I doubt any members of the organization are losing sleep in Jacksonville. Head coach Liam Coen completely changed the culture in that locker room and has his players believing they can win the Super Bowl. Some regression is to be expected, but the Jags' general manager, head coach, and quarterback are all on the same page, which should produce plenty of wins, especially with a full season of wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter at the team's disposal.
9. Green Bay Packers
There is no denying that the Green Bay Packers are loaded with talent. The problem is many of their best players are coming off major injuries. Edge rusher Micah Parsons, tight end Ticker Kraft, quarterback Jordan Love, and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt all had to miss significant time last year. Kraft, Wyatt, and Love will start Week One barring any unforeseen circumstances, but Micah Parsons possibly missing the first six games of the season will expose holes on the defensive side of the ball. Still, the Packers are a perennial playoff team, and that should be the case again this season.
8. Chicago Bears
We knew that head coach Ben Johnson would inject new life into this team, but their single-season turnaround was truly special. With Johnson leading the charge and quarterback Caleb Williams poised to have a breakout year, the Bears look like the early favorites to win the NFC North, in my opinion. There are still some major questions defensively with this group, but the offense and special teams are so well-coached that Chicago should still be viewed as a serious Super Bowl contender.
7. Houston Texans
There might be worries about quarterback C. J. Stroud, but that doesn't change the fact that the Texans have an elite defense. In fact, I would say that Houston's defense is the best single unit in the NFL this season. They have difference-makers at all three levels on that side of the ball. The offense should see some improvement as well with the investments this team made in the offensive line and at the running back spot. Even if C.J. Stroud fails to take a step forward in his progression, the Texans will still boast one of the best squads in the NFL.
6. Baltimore Ravens
For most teams, a head coaching change will lead to some growing pains, and that will probably be the case in Baltimore. However, most other teams don't have the luxury of starting a two-time MVP at quarterback. Not to mention the Ravens have a former 2,000-yard rusher and multiple All-Pros on the defensive side of the ball. There might be some areas of concern with this squad, but quarterback Lamar Jackson should be able to cover up those holes. As long as Lamar is on the field, Baltimore is a threat to win the Super Bowl.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Outside of the loss of wide receiver A.J. Brown, it was once again a great off-season for the Eagles. Hell, we could argue that the A.J. Brown trade will make this team better since he was such a distraction last year. They reloaded the defense by adding two former Pro Bowlers in cornerback Tariq Woolen and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Plus, the offensive line has more depth and shouldn't experience nearly as many injuries as it did last season. As a result, that will allow Philly to return to its 2024-25 form that ran its way to a Super Bowl victory. The Eagles will look much better this season than they did last year.
4. Denver Broncos
The injury that Bo Nix suffered during the 2026 NFL Playoffs really changed the landscape of the NFL. Had he played in that game, there's a good chance the Broncos would be going into this season as the favorites to win the AFC. Either way, Denver is once again poised to be one of the best teams in their conference. They barely lost any players in free agency and added another high-quality wideout in Jaylen Waddle. With what will once again be a top-flight defense and a more mature quarterback, the Broncos will probably give the Pats a run for their money as the best team in the AFC.
3. New England Patriots
If you ignore the head coach's cheating scandal with a well-known NFL reporter, then this was an ideal off-season for the Patriots. New England addressed all of the major issues that the Seattle Seahawks exposed in Super Bowl LX. They found a new, better number-one wide receiver, added more potential starters in the trenches, and brought in more guys to help man the secondary. Cheating scandal or not, Mike Vrabel is still one of the best head coaches in the business. As long as that scandal doesn't rear its ugly head during the regular season, the Pats should be a top team in the NFL.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Normally, the defending champions are given the top spot in my power rankings by default, but I can't honestly say that Seattle looks like the best team in the NFL right now. The Seahawks lost multiple key pieces from last year's team, including safety Coby Bryant, edge rusher Boye Mafe, cornerback Tariq Woolen, and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III. However, they still have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL, an elite front seven, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Seattle might not be the outright favorite to win the Super Bowl, but they are a top contender for the Lombardi Trophy.
1. Los Angeles Rams
If you are one of my dedicated readers, then you know that I typically reserve the number-one spot in preseason power rankings for the defending champions (just look at my NBA off-season power rankings). But with the roster turnover the Seahawks experienced and the additions that the Rams made, I feel compelled to put Los Angeles at the top of this list. They have the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year on their team as well as a head coach who will probably one day be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Rams should be looked at as the favorite to win Super Bowl LXI heading into Week One of the 2026 NFL Preseason.
